Statement Condemning the Taliban’s Systematic Violations of Women’s Rights in Afghanistan

SUMMARY

The UN Committee, Middle East and North African Affairs Committee and International Human Rights Committee issued a statement condemning the Taliban’s systematic violations of women’s rights in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, over 70 decrees have severely restricted women’s access to education, employment, and freedom of movement. These measures have deprived millions of Afghan women and girls of critical educational and economic opportunities, jeopardizing their futures and the nation’s development. The City Bar stands in solidarity with the brave women of Afghanistan who continue to advocate for their fundamental human rights despite facing significant threats and systemic oppression. The City Bar calls on the Taliban’s de facto authorities to immediately cease their violations of the rights of women and girls and to engage in dialogue with the international community to address these concerns. The City Bar further calls upon the international community to (1) not recognize the Taliban as the legitimate representative of the Afghan population; (2) intensify diplomatic and legal measures to hold the Taliban accountable; (3) provide support to Afghan-women led organizations to sustain their resistance efforts; and (4) continue to advocate for the immediate restoration of women’s rights in Afghanistan.

REPORT

STATEMENT CONDEMNING THE TALIBAN’S SYSTEMATIC VIOLATIONS OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN AFGHANISTAN

The New York City Bar Association (“City Bar”) is profoundly alarmed by the systematic erosion of fundamental rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls under the Taliban regime. The Taliban’s systematic repression of Afghan women is not only a grave violation of human rights, but also mirrors a troubling global trend of diminishing women’s rights. This alarming trend demands immediate action from the international community.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, over 70 decrees have been enacted to marginalize women and girls.[1] These include bans on secondary and higher education for girls, exclusion from the workforce, and restrictions on movement and expression. These measures have deprived millions of Afghan women and girls of education and economic opportunities, threatening their futures and the nation’s development.[2]

The Taliban’s actions are not only an attack on Afghan women; they also represent an assault on the very principles of human dignity and equality. As detailed in numerous recent reports,[3] these actions represent a grave violation of international human rights standards, including those enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

The City Bar stands in solidarity with the courageous women of Afghanistan who continue to advocate for their basic human rights despite facing significant threats and systemic oppression. In this context the City Bar welcomes the initiative launched on September 25, 2024 by the Foreign Ministers of Germany, Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands to hold the Taliban accountable under Article 29 of CEDAW.[4] This is a critical step toward justice for Afghan women and towards addressing the gross violations of international law by the Taliban.

The City Bar calls on the Taliban de facto authorities to immediately cease their violations of the human rights of women and girls and to respond to the request for dialogue to address the concerns of the international community on this matter, including acceptance of the recommendations addressed to Afghanistan during its Human Rights Council 4^th Cycle Universal Periodic Review.[5]

The City Bar further calls upon the international community to:

1. Not politically recognize the Taliban de facto authorities as the legitimate representatives of the Afghan population.
2. Intensify diplomatic and legal measures to hold the Taliban accountable for their systematic oppression of women and girls.
3. Provide robust support to Afghan women-led organizations and initiatives to sustain their resistance efforts, which are vital in preserving educational opportunities and advocating for basic rights, including underground schools and advocacy programs that continue to defy the Taliban’s oppression at great personal risk.
4. Continue to advocate for the immediate restoration of women’s rights in Afghanistan to ensure their freedom, dignity, and equality.

As an association dedicated to the rule of law and the protection of human rights, the City Bar remains committed to amplifying the voices of Afghan women and girls, who, despite grave threats, continue to resist oppression and fight for their fundamental rights.

Finally, the City Bar urges all relevant stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, and civil society, to collectively restore the fundamental rights of the women and girls of Afghanistan, ensuring their freedom, dignity and equality.

United Nations Committee
Sophia Murashkovsky and Ervin Nina, Co-Chairs

Middle Eastern and North African Affairs Committee
Hon. Elizabeth S. Strong and Robert Eli Michael, Co-Chairs

International Human Rights Committee
Suchitra Vijayan, Chair

December 2024